the curious case of kiryas joel the rise of a village theocracy and the battle to defend the separation of church and state

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Twenty years ago, on the last day of session, the New York State Legislature created a publicly funded school district to cater to the interests of a religious sect called Kiryas Joel, an extremely insular group of Hasidic Jews. The sect had bought land in upstate New York, populated it solely with members of its faction, and created a village that exerted extraordinary political pressure over both political parties in the Legislature. Marking the first time in American history that a governmental unit was established for a religious group, the Legislature's action prompted years of litigation that eventually went to the Supreme Court. The 1994 case, The Board of Education of the Village of Kiryas Joel v. Grumet, stands as the most important legal precedent in the fight to uphold the separation of church and state. In The Curious Case of Kiryas Joel, plaintiff Louis Grumet opens a window onto the Satmar Hasidic community and details the inside story of his fight for the First Amendment. This story—a blend of politics, religion, cultural clashes, and constitutional tension—is an object lesson in the ongoing debate over freedom of vs. freedom from religion.

Twenty years ago, in the middle of the night and on the last day of session, the New York State Legislature created a publicly funded school district to cater to the interests of a religious sect called Kiryas Joel, an extremely insular group of Hasidic Jews that objects to, among other things, female school bus drivers. The sect had bought land in rural upstate New York, populated it solely with members of its faction, and created a village that, voting as a bloc, exerted extraordinary political pressure over Governor Mario Cuomo and both political parties in the Legislature. Marking the first time in American history that a governmental unit was established for a religious group, the legislature’s action prompted years of litigation that eventually went to the Supreme Court. As today’s Court signals its willingness to view a religious viewpoint like any other speech and accord it equal protection, the 1994 case The Board of Education of the Village of Kiryas Joel v. Grumet stands as the most important legal precedent in the fight to uphold the separation of church and state. In The Curious Case of Kiryas Joel, plaintiff Louis Grumet opens a window onto the Satmar Hasidic community, where language, customs, and dress have led to a cultural estrangement from neighboring communities, and details the inside story of his fight for the First Amendment and against New York’s most powerful politicians, including his former mentor Mario Cuomo. Informed by key figures such as Governor George Pataki reflecting back on the case, media accounts, court transcripts, and more, The Curious Case of Kiryas Joel not only tantalizes with a peek at cynical power politics driven by votes and Supreme Court justice squabbling and negotiation; it provides an important demonstration of how a small, insular, and politically savvy religious group can grasp legal and political power. This story—a blend of politics, religion, cultural clashes, and constitutional tension—is an object lesson in the ongoing debate over freedom of vs. freedom from religion.

The easy way to make sense of property law Understanding property law is vital for all aspiring lawyers and legal professionals, and property courses are foundational classes within all law schools. Property Law For Dummies tracks to a typical property law course and introduces you to property law and theory, exploring different types of property interests—particularly "real property." In approachable For Dummies fashion, this book gives you a better understanding of the important property law concepts and aids in the reading and analysis of cases, statutes, and regulations. Tracks to a typical property law course Plain-English explanations make it easier to grasp property law concepts Serves as excellent supplemental reading for anyone preparing for their state's Bar Exam The information in Property Law For Dummies benefits students enrolled in a property law course as well as non-students, landlords, small business owners, and government officials, who want to know more about the ins and outs property law.

A significant factor for many people deciding where to live is the quality of the local school district, with superior schools creating a price premium for housing. The result is a “race to the top,” as all school districts attempt to improve their performance in order to attract homebuyers. Given the importance of school districts to the daily lives of children and families, it is surprising that their evolution has not received much attention. In this provocative book, William Fischel argues that the historical development of school districts reflects Americans’ desire to make their communities attractive to outsiders. The result has been a standardized, interchangeable system of education not overly demanding for either students or teachers, one that involved parents and local voters in its governance and finance. Innovative in its focus on bottom-up processes generated by individual behaviors rather than top-down decisions by bureaucrats, Making the Grade provides a new perspective on education reform that emphasizes how public schools form the basis for the localized social capital in American towns and cities.

"You couldn't put down the original, now pick up the Jewish version....It is sure to leave you verklempt with passion!" -- Jewitup.com You've read the books and seen the movie. Or maybe you'd rather not. Try the Jewish parody! It's so erotic you'll plotz. From the moment senior Anatevka Stein meets chubby bagel tycoon Chaim Silver, she is drawn to him. A mench like no other, he's brilliant, lecherous and reeking of herring, a combination she cannot resist. So what if he still lives with his mother? Chaim wants her too, though he wants her to sign a Kinky Ketubah drafted by his attorneys. What sexual techniques will Ana learn in his Blue Room of Broadloom and which delicatessen foods will be involved? Why is the first night of Passover with Chaim truly different from all other nights? And why does he play such sorrowful music on his accordion? Could it be the wedgies he received at Jewish summer camp? Erotic, exotic and Ashkenazic, this passionate love story will stay with you forever, not unlike a homemade matzah ball. Fifty Shades of Oy Vey: A Parody includes excerpts from Volume II: Fifty Shades Meshuggener and Volume III: Fifty Shades Fried Latkes. The book is intended for mature and somewhat immature readers.

Fighting for First Amendment rights is as popular a pastime as ever, but just because you can get on your soapbox doesn't mean anyone will be there to listen. Town squares have emptied out as shoppers decamp for the megamalls; gated communities keep pesky signature gathering activists away; even most internet chatrooms are run by the major media companies. Brave New Neighborhood sconsiders what can be done to protect and revitalize our public spaces.

ONE OF BOOKLIST'S TOP TEN RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY BOOKS OF 2016 This enthralling story of the making of an American is also a timely meditation on being Muslim in America today. Threading My Prayer Rug is a richly textured reflection on what it is to be a Muslim in America today. It is also the luminous story of many journeys: from Pakistan to the United States in an arranged marriage that becomes a love match lasting forty years; from secular Muslim in an Islamic society to devout Muslim in a society ignorant of Islam, and from liberal to conservative to American Muslim; from student to bride and mother; and from an immigrant intending to stay two years to an American citizen, business executive, grandmother, and tireless advocate for interfaith understanding. Beginning with a sweetly funny, moving account of her arranged marriage, the author undercuts stereotypes and offers the refreshing view of an American life through Muslim eyes. In chapters leavened with humor, hope, and insight, she recounts an immigrant’s daily struggles balancing assimilation with preserving heritage, overcoming religious barriers from within and distortions of Islam from without, and confronting issues of raising her children as Muslims—while they lobby for a Christmas tree! Sabeeha Rehman was doing interfaith work for Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the driving force behind the Muslim community center at Ground Zero, when the backlash began. She discusses what that experience revealed about American society.

It's easy to get high on God in America. But is this good religion? In a compelling follow-up to her memoir, Girl at the End of the World, Elizabeth Esther explores how religious fervor can become religious addiction. The evidence is everywhere. In families who inexplicably choose to harm their children in order to abide by cultic church doctrine. But in ordinary believers too who use God the same way addicts use drugs or alcohol--to numb pain, alter their mood, or simply to escape the realities of this messy, unpredictable thing called life. If you've ever wondered how a religion that preaches freedom and love can produce judgmental and unkind followers; if you've ever felt captive to the demanding God of your own childhood; if you've struggled to find contentment without needing another emotional hit from a "life-changing" conference or "mountain-top" experience, then Spiritual Sobriety is for you. The author, who grew up in a hyper-controlling church cult, will help you find hope and rebirth in the ruins of disillusioned faith. Filled with stories and warm, practical advice, Spiritual Sobriety offers a gentle path out of the desperate cycles of craving-euphoria-hangover and into a freer, clean-and-sober faith practice.